Oktoberfest Braumeister

Officially the world’s biggest party, Oktoberfest draws a crowd of seven million people every year to celebrate the three best things to come out of Germany: beer, bratwurst and pretzels. Make your own way to Munich for this legendary festival, and experience all the the city has to offer while staying at centrally-located hostel accommodation with included breakfasts and a walking tour. Are you ready for this? Eins, zwei, drei, g’suffa! (One, two, three, chug it down!).

Gostou? Fale com a CI

You’ll need to arrive at our hostel this afternoon for check-in. A Topdeck representative will be on site to answer any questions you may have about the next few days or the festival itself. If you’re keen, we’ll take you through the streets of Munich and show you the A to Z of this buzzing city.
Later: this evening is all yours. Pork knuckles and beer anyone?

Today is yours to do as you please. Go exploring and set foot in the beer halls you may have missed yesterday (there are loads more than just Hofbräuhaus). The city centre is also pretty close, so feel free to go exploring there too.

Your included meals are detailed in the ‘More Inclusions’ section of this document.

Breakfasts are included every day (except on the first morning).

If you have any dietary requirements, we will make every effort to cater to your specific needs as long as you advise your travel agent or Customer Service Consultant when you book. You can also make note of this in the Topdeck app when you check in (see below).

However, please be aware that although we will do everything in our power to arrange it, we cannot guarantee that every restaurant we visit will be able to cater to all dietary needs.

Your Topdeck crew never expect tips themselves and will not ask for any; that’s not what friends do! We also know how much tipping can cost you. So go ahead, spoil yourself with the money you will save by travelling with Topdeck (just don’t forget Mum’s souvenir).

Our travel app has landed! With a range of awesome features including a Currency Converter, Budget Tracker, Check-In tool and Social Timeline you can plan your trip like a pro. Think of it like your very own Topdeck Trip Leader, always on call with the latest info, weather, maps and city guides to give you the trip of a lifetime, all in the palm of your hand.

Please note: The Topdeck Travel App should only be downloaded once you have booked onto your trip. You will not be able to log in unless you have a Topdeck Booking Reference Number.

One of the best parts of travelling is experiencing the nightlife and entertainment each city has to offer. However, amidst the fun and excitement, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and personal safety as well. Before you hit the road with us, it’s important to be aware of the following:

When you’re on a night out, remember to avoid walking alone, particularly through deserted areas like beaches and back streets. Always stick together, take a taxi where possible, and keep a note of your accommodation details so you can find your way back to your fellow Topdeckers if you become separated.

In some countries, alcoholic measures can be considerably larger than what you may be used to. Try to keep track of what you’re drinking, and if you see one of your trip mates looking a little worse for wear, take them back to your accommodation. Be cautious when accepting drinks from strangers and never leave your drink unattended.

It’s also important to be aware that what you might consider harmless flirting may be interpreted differently in some countries. Be yourself and have fun, but don’t be naïve, and be mindful of the signals you are sending out so that you don’t find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.

Oktoberfest (or Wiesn) began on 12 October 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. They celebrated their union with a horse race in a field outside of Munich (as you do).

The citizens of the city were able to attend and this celebration gradually evolved into Oktoberfest over the years.

The festival takes place on the Theresienwiese, which translates to ‘Theresa’s meadow’ after the Princess who inspired it all. How’s that for romance?

The first beer tents didn’t arrive until 1896, with tent owners parading from Munich to the meadow where the celebrations took place. This tradition has remained, with the parade festival arriving into the Wiesn and finishing with a twelve-gun salute.

The mayor of Munich taps the first keg with the well-known cry of ‘O’zapft is!’ (‘It’s tapped!’), and Oktoberfest begins.

Prost!

What to expect

1. Arrive early

With tents closing their doors by 11.30am some years, you don’t want to be #thatguy. Arrive by 9am on a weekend or 10am on a weekday and grab a seat – you’re there for the long haul. Hint: bring cards for the opening weekend – beers don’t start flowing until midday.

2. Have a beer budget

The prices of a stein will range from €11 to €12 depending on the tent you find yourself in. Cash is usually the only way to pay, so make sure you have enough cash on you.

3. Tip your waitress

Your waitress will be looking after over 100 people. You don’t really want to be the group that always avoids catching her eye.

4. Don’t be a Bierleichen (Google it)

With no less than 5% alcohol in a stein, a radler (beer topped with lemonade) might help you avoid becoming what the locals call a Bierleichen. In case of an emergency, medics are on site. Please drink responsibly. Remember, if you are out of line, security will kick you out – and they won’t be gentle about it either. Play by the rules. The security guards are easy to spot (they looked dressed for combat). You don’t wanna mess with them.

5. Explore the tents

Inside the many tents at Oktoberfest you’ll find a carnival of celebration of up to 10,000 beer drinkers. There are 14 large tents to choose from, and each one has its own atmosphere that deserves to be explored. There are also smaller tents, with the smallest holding under a hundred people. However, don’t spend your entire time in the tents – explore the grounds and you’ll find rides, food stalls and souvenir shops.

6. Get stuck into the food

Some say that Bavarian cuisine is the best you’ll find throughout the German states. It’s easy to see why: pretzels, pork knuckle and chicken are served in the beer halls and food stalls across the site. Get your hunger on.

7. Choose your seat wisely

You know that feeling when you’re the last one standing? #nightmare. When you choose your seat, choose carefully. Think: reasonable proximity to the toilets! You also need to be seated in order to get a beer in most of the tents. So, the faster you grab a spot, the faster a beer is served. Winning.

8. Buy a stein, don’t take one

The ultimate souvenir. Don’t leave without one. Glass and ceramic beer steins are available to purchase all over the Oktoberfest grounds, with receipts provided for proof of purchase. Don’t try and go stealing a stein – a hefty fine and a criminal record in Bavaria might ruin your whole week.

9. Phone service isn’t great

You’re inside a tent, the band has started, you’ve got a stein in your hand – but your best mate is missing. It’s practically impossible to hear anyone on a phone call and there’s limited Wi-Fi available. So, set a meeting point and use SMS – just like the old days. Sorted.

Breweries at Oktoberfest

1. Augustiner

Augustiner is the oldest Munich brewery and was founded in 1328. Keeping with 800-year-old traditions, they still use wooden barrels for storing beer. Augustiner can be sampled or drunk until close at the Augustiner-Festzelt and Fischer Vroni tents.

2. Hacker Pschorr

Founded in 1417, this was the leading Munich brewery by the 18th century under the watchful eyes of Joseph Pschorr and Maria Theresia Hacker. After their death, the brewery was divided into the Hacker brewery and Pschorr brewery and not reunified until the 1970s. The beer is offered in the Hacker-Zelt and the Bräu-Rosl tents.

3. Hofbräu

King Wilhelm V founded the brewery in 1589. Originally, the brewery was at the Hofbräuhaus Platzl, a bar in the city centre which is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Munich. Later, the brewery relocated to Wiener Platz, where there is one of the most beautiful beer gardens: the Hofbräukeller.

4. Löwenbräu

This middle-sized company emerged to be one of the biggest breweries by the 19th century under the Brey family. With the logo incorporating its famous lion, you’re best to look out for the giant mechanical lion on top of the tent to make sure you’re in the right place. The lion actually roars and moves its tail too. Löwenbräu beer is sold in the Löwenbräu-Zelt and Schützenzelt tents.

5. Paulaner

This beer was brewed in 1634 at the Paulaner monastery (monks like beer too) and is the youngest of the Munich breweries. Try the stout, a favourite among the locals. Paulaner is sold in the Winzerer Fähndl, the Armbrustschützen-Selt, the Käferzelt tents and the wine tents.

6. Spaten

The Spaten brewery was founded in 1397. The brewery has been managed for 200 years by the Sedlmayr family, a fact highlighted by their logo which includes a spade with the initials of master brewer Gabriel Sedlmayr. The family also own the Franziskaner brewery. These beers are both offered in the Schottenhammel, the Ochsenbraterei and the Spaten-Zelt tents.

The lingo

1. Thank you / Please

Danke / Bitte

2. Cheers

Prost

3. Hello

Guten Tag

4. Goodbye

Auf Wiedersehen

5. Yes

Ja

6. No

Nein

7. Can I have one beer please?

Kann ich ein Bier bitte?

8. Open / Closed

Offen / Geschlossen

9. Where are the toilets?

Wo sind die toiletten?

10. Toilets

Toiletten

11. Men / Women

Herren / Damen

12. Entrance / Exit

Eingang / Ausgang

15. How much?

Wieviel kostet?

16. Do you speak English?

Sprechen Sie Englisch?

Events

Saturday 22nd September

11am: Arrival of tent patrons with parade through Munich.

12pm: Tapping of the first Oktoberfest beer barrel by the Munich mayor in the Schottenhamel tent.

Sunday 23rd September

10am: Traditional costume parade through Munich.

Thursday 27th September

10am: Traditional religious Oktoberfest mass.

Sunday 30th September

11am: Traditional concert of the Oktoberfest brass bands at the feet of the Bavaria.

Sunday 7th October

12pm: Traditional gun-salute on the steps of the Bavarian monument.

What to pack

Dirndl or Lederhosen

Lost and found

Every year, over 4,000 items are handed in to Oktoberfest’s lost and found office. During Oktoberfest, you’ll find a Lost & Found Office at the Service Center of the Theresienwiese (entrance ‘Festleitung’, basement) which is behind the Schottenhamel tent.